I don't know if fuel cost is an issue. My Coast Guad Son drove his 2001 1 ton Dodge with a Cummins towing his 18' fishing boat from Sacramento to Kodiak Island and total trip cost over 5 grand. He did take the ferry's and the one from Homer to Kodiak was a large portion of that. The Coast Guard footed the bills fortunately. I would recommend running white bottle Power Service brand fuel treatment regardless of temps but defiantly if you're going to see temps in the 20"s. I found it helped with milage and I thought a bit more power when I had a diesel. On a side note, he made the trip with 3 dogs, a cat, and an 8 1/2-month pregnant wife. My Granddaughter can claim she's an Alaskan; she was born there, and they still are on Kodiak.